Good number of LORs?

[IlyaR]

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Wondering what the typical amount of LORs are. I'm getting a committee letter written and currently have 4. Chief of surgery of a big NYC hospital was supposed to write me one but his email was hacked recently, and I'm wondering if I should just send in those 4 to have my application entirely submitted, or wait to get in contact with this Dr, which might take a week or so

 

[IlyaR]

You need either a committee letter OR the required number of letters that the school asks for.

If you have a committee letter schedule to be sent, even if you have others, some schools will mark your application complete and forward it for review to readers and adcom members. They may be reading a printout or static online version such as a PDF and may never see the additional letters.

Ah I see. I was under the impression that my committee packet is a consolidation of individual letters, which will be attached to the packet as well

 

[IlyaR]

Most committees attach the letters but I wanted to be sure you werent discussing individual letters to be sent in addition. The advantage of committee letters to an adcom is they usually have a broader array of information from you campus professors

Would you consider waiting another week or so a foolish decision? I don't know how adcoms would look upon 4 letters if they do receive the attachment. The one I'm missing in particular should be a very strong letter, and he is well known at my target school. I just don't want to be late

 

[Doug Underhill]

Some schools want no more than three. Check them for their individual requirements.

 

[IlyaR]

Some schools want no more than three. Check them for their individual requirements.

I think each school has a different requirement for individual letters, but will take a committee letter regardless of # of letters that went into it. I'm just worried 4 would seem to sparse. Sorry if I'm not making sense haha, somewhat ignorant to the matter

 

[Doug Underhill]

Mayo explicitly states that they want no more than ten. I have to wonder what they would do if a 4.0/40 applicant sent 11 letters to Mayo with their app, however.

 

[GrapesofRath]

Mayo explicitly states that they want no more than ten. I have to wonder what they would do if a 4.0/40 applicant sent 11 letters to Mayo with their app, however.

I think it was @hushcom who said your better off getting a tattoo on your forehead saying "high maintenance" and sending them a picture of it if you can't follow basic directions like this and think you are above the rules.

 

[Spector1]

MSAR tells you what the minimum and maximum numbers of letters of rec a school will take. I would follow that or the school's admission website instructions